Building Michigan's Economy Focus Of CEO Summit

DETROIT (WWJ) - The city of Detroit will host Michigan's first ever CEO Summit later this week. More than a dozen top business leaders will gather to discuss ways of building the state's economy.

Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, says they've already identified six assets the state has that they think can be the platform for growing a new Michigan economy.

"One is our geographic location, which we think provides an opportunity for Michigan to be a global logistics hub," Rothwell told WWJ Newsradio 950. "We've also identified our higher education system, which we think has the ability to grow and expand and add more jobs in our state. Our natural resources; we're great at food production. We have terrific quantities of water and precious materials that the world needs."

Rothwell says they've also identified healthcare, the automotive industry and Michigan's engineering talent as additional assets.

The business executives scheduled to attend include:

James Nicholson, President & CEO, PVS Chemicals, Inc.
Charles McClure, Chairman, President & CEO, Meritor, Inc.
Sandra Pierce, President & CEO, Charter One - Michigan
Hans-Werner Kaas, Managing Partner - Detroit Office, McKinsey & Company
Lou Anna K. Simon, President, Michigan State University

Tickets are still available, however, Rothwell says they're going fast. To purchase tickets or for more information, log on to BusinessLeadersforMichigan.com.